THE SHOALS-The stretch of rainy days that followed last week’s cold snap have continued to impact the areas blood supply, and LifeSouth is in emergency need for donors with Type O-negative, Type A-negative and Type B-negative blood.
“We are in emergency need of blood donations to meet the patient needs in our
JB Bowles
local hospitals,” said LifeSouth Vice President of Operations J.B. Bowles. “The freezing weather arrived, causing blood donations to hit an annual low, and we’re continuing to battle to catch up.”
These specific blood types are needed because fewer people have negative blood types, and they can be transfused to people with positive blood types as well. This keeps them in higher demand and more difficult to get.
The word “emergency” isn’t used lightly by LifeSouth. It carries a specific meaning.
Emergency: This is used only when inventory levels are at the very lowest. It means our hospitals have less than a two-day supply, and LifeSouth does not have the blood available to resupply the hospitals when that blood is used.
“We certainly appreciate the donors who have responded to our call for help, and we ask them to please help spread the word that more donors are needed,” Bowles said. “Shortages aren’t unusual this time of the year, but the rainy cold weather has slowed our recovery. We need the folks who don’t donate regularly to please step up and help.”
Donors must be 17 or older, or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also required. All donors will receive T-shirt from LifeSouth and be entered into the monthly drawings for a PlayStation 4 game console. Call toll-free, 888-795-2707 for additional information or to find a blood drive near you.
Here is the schedule for places to give blood for the rest of January:
LifeSouth Blood Drives in North Alabama
Wednesday, Jan. 15
Brooks High School, 4300 Highway 72, Killen, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Decatur General Hospital, 1201 7th Street SE, Decatur, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Grissom High School, 7901 Bailey Cove Road, Huntsville, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Warehouse Discount Groceries, 1116 Brindlee Mountain Parkway, Arab, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 16
Tharptown High School, 145 Highway 80, Russellville, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Walgreens, 7155 U.S. Highway 431, Albertville, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wal-Mart, 6140 University Drive NW, Huntsville, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 17
Easter Seals Rehabilitation, 1450 Avalon Ave., Muscle Shoals, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Lawrence Medical Center, 202 Hospital Street, Moulton, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wal-Mart, 973 Gilberts Ferry Road, Attalla, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wal-Mart, 11697 Highway 431, Guntersville, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wal-Mart, 8650 Madison Blvd., Madison, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Wal-Mart, 626 Olive St. SW, Cullman, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 18
Big Lots, 603 U.S. Highway 72, Athens, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Burkes Outlet, 374 Cox Creek Parkway, Florence, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Walgreen, 2784 Carl T. Jones Drive SE, Huntsville, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wal-Mart, 1972 Highway 431, Boaz, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Jan 19
Crosshaven Church, 9131 U.S. Highway 31 S., Hanceville, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Grace Lutheran Church, 3321 S. Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Kroger, 6070 Moores Mill Road, Huntsville, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Limestone Flea Market, 30030 Highway 72 W., Madison, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Stowers Hill Baptist Church, 407 9th Ave. SW, Attalla, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Wal-Mart, 2701 Cloverdale Road, Florence, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wal-Mart, 11697 Highway 431, Guntersville, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
